Patriot Act (FringeNYC)

Part of FringeNYC: Mike Schlitt wants to restore your faith in American Democracy. He claims he can do it in 47 minutes. Come celebrate American exceptionalism and limited attention spans, then activate your citizenship - join the "Raucous Caucus". Art! Advocacy! Action! (+ puppets)

FROM THE ARTIST:PATRIOT ACT Presidential Road Trip 2016…Live! is one disgruntled American’s bold attempt to experience democracy in action. In 2016, Mike Schlitt embarks upon a national electoral listening tour, traveling the country as we select our next President. It’s an experiment in performance, journalism, civic participation, and intimately sane conversations in (sometimes) insane circumstances. Through radio commentary, public debate, podcasts, democracy salons, voter registration drives and a live interactive performance of the show PATRIOT ACT, Mike is exploring our shared histories, learning what the 99% think of our Democratic process, and figuring out exactly what it means to be an American citizen today.

PATRIOT ACT is a comedic theatrical roller-coaster ride through United States’ history, an exploration of the gap between the promise of our American idea and it’s flawed execution and an invitation for audiences to activate their citizenship and let their voices be heard. Writer/Performer Mike Schlitt calls his interactive theatrical event “everything you’ll ever need to know about American Democracy in just 47 minutes + puppets”. Immediately following his solo performance, audiences are invited to address complex questions on activism, democracy and governance in a free-wheeling “Raucous Caucus”. This intimate evening of performance and social engagement aims to create public conversation about the role of each citizen in determining the future of our country.

“Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.” -Winston Churchill